Sentence Structure
Reported Speech
Quick Summary
Reported speech (indirect speech) is used to relay what someone said. It requires tense backshift (present → past, past → past perfect), plus pronoun and time-expression changes. Example: "I am happy" → He said he was happy.
Reported speech (also called indirect speech) is how we report what someone else has said without using their exact words. This often involves changes in tense, pronouns, and time expressions.
Tense Backshift
When the reporting verb (e.g., said, told) is in the past, the tense in the reported clause usually moves one step back into the past.
- Present Simple → Past Simple:
"I am happy." → He said he was happy. - Past Simple → Past Perfect:
"I saw a movie." → She said she had seen a movie. - Present Perfect → Past Perfect:
"I have finished." → He said he had finished.
Pronoun and Time Changes
Pronouns and time/place words often need to change to reflect the new perspective.
"I will see you tomorrow." → She said she would see me the next day.
Related Topics
- Direct & Indirect Speech, Compare quoted speech with reported speech in detail.
- Question Formation, Understand how question structure changes in reported speech.
- Passive Voice, Learn how passive sentences are reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tense backshift in reported speech?
Tense backshift means shifting the verb one step into the past when the reporting verb ("said," "told") is in the past tense. Present simple becomes past simple, past simple becomes past perfect, and so on.
Do I always need to backshift the tense?
No. If the reporting verb is in the present tense ("He says..."), no backshift is needed. Also, if the reported information is still true, backshift is optional: "She said the earth is/was round."
Test Your Knowledge
Reported Speech Quiz
Question 1 of 2
Direct speech: "I am happy." What is the correct reported speech?